1Sambubungan’s Indigenous Peoples’ Electoral Agenda highlight increasing attacks against IPs, urges candidates to uphold IP rights

1Sambubungan’s Indigenous Peoples’ Electoral Agenda highlight 

increasing attacks against IPs, urges candidates to uphold IP rights

Quezon City, Philippines – On April 8, 2025, representatives from various Indigenous Peoples (IP) groups under 1Sambubungan gathered to launch their Indigenous Peoples Electoral Agenda. The event marked a display of solidarity among Indigenous Peoples, including the Igorot, Manobo, Teduray, Dumagat, Mangyan and Aeta, as they united through an agenda and endorsement of candidates committed to uphold Indigenous Peoples’ rights.

“Patuloy ang pang-aagaw ng mga malalaking korporasyon sa aming mga lupaing ninuno at pang-aabuso sa likas na yaman nito. Dahil dito, marami sa aming mga katutubo ang pinapalayas at kinikitilan ng buhay. Kaya, panawagan namin sa gobyerno na protektahan ang aming karapatang pantao sa halip na paboran ang interes lamang ng iilan,” said Mary Joie Melis, member of Timuay Justice and Governance. 

Indigenous Peoples continue to face challenges in gaining recognition of their rights to ancestral domain, self-determination, and Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC), leading to the criminalization of their solidarity. Non-Moro Indigenous Peoples (NMIP) face worsening conflicts, including the increased killings of leaders. The agenda called for fast-tracking the approval of ancestral domain titles, rejecting destructive projects such as mining and plantations, and ensuring the rights of NMIPs are upheld to achieve a just and lasting peace.

Under the Marcos Jr. administration, attacks against Indigenous communities have intensified, building on the actions of the Duterte regime. The agenda called for accountability from key perpetrators of violence and human rights violations against Indigenous Peoples and their defenders. It also urged the amendment of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 to remove unconstitutional provisions, the abolition of National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), and the passage of the Human Rights Defenders Bill to protect Indigenous Peoples’ rights defenders.

The agenda also emphasized the need for a social protection policy to enable Indigenous Peoples to live with dignity. This includes state support for education, health, livelihood, and comprehensive aid for survivors of violence, particularly Indigenous women and youth. A revamp of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) was proposed to ensure genuine representation.

Recognizing the pressing challenges faced by Indigenous Peoples and the urgent need to transform state-IP relations, 1Sambubungan took a decisive step by endorsing candidates with a demonstrated commitment to protecting and advancing Indigenous Peoples' rights:

FOR SENATOR 

1. Andamo, Nars Alyn

2. Brosas, Arlene

3. Casino, Teddy

4. Castro, Teacher France

5. Lidasan, Amirah

6. Maza, Liza

7. Mendoza, Heidi

8. Pangilinan, Kiko

9. Ramos, Danilo

FOR PARTYLIST 

1. Bayan Muna 

2. Gabriela Women's Party 

3. Mamamayang Liberal l ML

   
   

The 1Sambubungan concluded the event by challenging the next officials to commit to the Indigenous People's Agenda and set the stage for a just, inclusive change in the nation's political landscape. They also vowed to strengthen the solidarity of Indigenous Peoples, recognizing its importance in these critical times.##

The 1Sambubungan’ Indigenous Peoples Agenda 2025 is available at our website. You may also scan to access: